‘Win’ — Ilia Topuria sends surprising message to Paddy Pimblett ahead of UFC 324 title fight

Ilia Topuria has told Paddy Pimblett to go and beat Justin Gaethje in his first reaction to UFC 324’s main event.

Topuria revealed last week that he would be stepping away from the sport to deal with a personal issue, before UFC CEO Dana White announced Pimblett vs Gaethje for January 24.

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With lightweight champion Topuria out of action, Pimblett will face Gaethje for the division’s interim title in the main event of UFC 324 — the promotion’s first numbered card as part of their $7.7billion broadcast deal with Paramount+.

The announcement left several MMA fans agitated, including No. 1-ranked lightweight Arman Tsarukyan, who was unimpressed at not being involved in the fight to decide Topuria’s next opponent.

Nonetheless, Liverpool’s Pimblett has the chance to finally get his hands on Topuria should he overcome veteran Gaethje at UFC 324.

And Topuria, surprisingly, is rooting for his bitter rival to get the job done.

Ilia Topuria tells Paddy Pimblett to beat Justin Gaethje at UFC 324

“Paddy, win your next fight. Hands up, chin down,” Topuria said via X.

‘El Matador’ also had words for Tsarukyan, mocking the Armenian lightweight with a video of a child, who looks like Pimblett, dancing.

The 28-year-old will have a keen eye on the main event of UFC 324, as White has already confirmed the winner will fight for undisputed gold next.

Pimblett, just like Topuria, is undefeated in the UFC, having obtained notable wins over the likes of Michael Chandler and Tony Ferguson in the past two years.

‘The Baddy’ has also given his first words since UFC 324 was announced.

Pimblett: I’ll beat Gaethje then take Topuria’s undisputed title

“[It’s] the first ever time I’ve fought in January, the earliest I’ve ever fought,” Pimblett told the UFC.

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“It’s going to ruin my Christmas dinner, and my birthday because I’m 31 three weeks before it.

“But it’s all going to be worth it when I lift that world title above my head…

“2026 is going to be the biggest year of my life,” Pimblett told the UFC.

“I am coming for that interim title, then I’ll be making it the undisputed title when I come and beat Ilia Topuria up.

“And [Tsarukyan] — if he manages to fight in that time, because he likes sitting out and saying he’s got a sore back.

“If little posh boy fights in that time and keeps his ranking, I’ll punch his head in as well.”

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Tsarukyan submitted Dan Hooker at UFC Qatar on November 22 to assert his position as the No. 1 contender at lightweight.

However, it seems like the 29-year-old remains in his bosses’ bad books, based on his short-notice withdrawal from the main event of UFC 311 in January.

Tsarukyan was meant to fight Islam Makhachev at UFC 311, but pulled out, citing a back injury as the main reason why.

Makhachev has since moved up a division and won the promotion’s welterweight title.

The Russian remains another suitable option to face Topuria further down the line.